In My Closet: Personal Stylist Pualana Lemelle

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Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Marti Zimlin, GoLocalPDX Contributor

Pualana Lemelle is a personal stylist who jets between Portland and Hawaii, where she does everything from help you find the perfect frock to complete makeovers and closet reconstruction.

Her closet is legendary and features a high low mix of Zara, Tom Ford, Missoni, Vince, Isabel Marant and other covetable designers. Accessory-wise, Pua’s vintage and costume jewelry is some of the most covetable that I have ever seen. Find out more at pualana.com

What one word sums up your style? Modern-Classic. I really love clean lines and pieces that can be worn anytime and have longevity.  

What influences you when it comes to style and shopping? A sense of fun. Deciding how I am going to present my personality through style is the best part of each day. One day it might be a maxi dress with some flat sandals, another might be a great skirt and a classic white shirt. Each day is an adventure.

I am pretty petit so I am very careful about what I wear. You don’t want the clothes wearing you.

What is your favorite article of clothing in your closet? It’s always going to be a dress. I think women look so elegant in dresses…but I rotate on which is my favorite all the time. Women don’t show their shape enough, no matter the size, so I love body-draping silhouettes. Easy to wear and comfortable always wins…but must be elegant, too.

What are your favorite stores to shop in Portland? Buffalo Exchange downtown, Frances May, Goodwill. There are always great things to find at Buffalo and Goodwill. The Goodwill on 10th Avenue has a fabulous designer section, as well. Francs May always stocks great on trend pieces that you will love forever.

Who are your go-to designers? James Perse, Helmut Lang, Alexander Wang, Isabel Marant, DVF, Vince, Rag & Bone, Pedro Garcia. 

What's been your best shopping find? A pair of gray Pedro Garcia heels for $40 at Goodwill’s boutique on Hawthorne. A definite score as Pedro Garcia shoes retail for $500+ at Nordstrom.

What's your special occasion go-to piece? A vintage 1920s Austrian crystal necklace. It makes any outfit. Its also great with a t-shirt for some daytime glamour.

If you only had to pick one thing from your closet during an emergency what would it be? My hooded shearling coat. No matter what I wear underneath, I feel elegant walking down the street in it. Plus its super warm, cozy and chic!

What has been your biggest fashion miss? Having long hair. Long hair was not me. Once I chopped my hair to a short bob almost 10 years ago now, it’s pulled my whole look together.

What do you think about Portland style? It’s a mash-up of outdoorsy wear, leggings and boots. People here like to be comfortable. 

Footwear is important – who rules your shoe closet? Miu Miu & Pedro Garcia. Shoes that are timeless, on trend and always have a bit of sparkle.

What is your go-to work outfit? Black Vince sweater dress and Paul Green suede stacked heel booties. Always makes me look and feel great.

Marti Zimlin is a fashion-obsessed New Yorker living in Portland who spent years working at fashion magazines. She never met a Chanel bag, Proenza Schouler dress or piece of rose gold jewelery that she hasn't liked. She blogs daily about Jeff Goldblum at iheartjeffgoldblum.blogspot.com and about fashion and other random musings at martizinpdx.blogspot.com.

Homepage photo credit: Darwin Bell on Flickr. Creative Commons license. (Image cropped)

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